He or one that he shall name shall be judge in
all disputes that arise in these continents and islands, so be it
that the honor of the Sovereigns of Spain is not touched.
He shall have the salary that hath the High Admiral of
Castile. He and his family shall be ennobled and henceforth
be called Don and Dona. And for the immediate sailing
of ships he may, if he so desire, be at an eighth of the
expense of outfitting, for which he shall be returned an
eighth of all the profit of this the first voyage."
The secretary did not make the terms less sounding by
his reading. Wind in leaves, went a stir through the room.
I heard a page near me whispering, "O Sancta Maria!
The hanger-on, the needy one! Since the beginning of time
I've seen him at doors, sunny and cloudy days, the big,
droning bee!" Manuel Rodriguez painted on. I felt his
thought. "I should like to paint _you_, Admiral of the
Ocean-Sea!"
The room recomposed itself. Out of silence came the
King's voice, chill and dry. "We abate so vast a claim for
so vast reward! But we would be naught else but just,
and in our ability lavish. Read now what we will do!"
The secretary read. It had a certain largeness and goodliness,
as go rewards for adventure, even for great adventure,
what the sovereigns would do. The room thought it should
answer. The King spoke, "We can promise no more nor
other than this.
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